“It is not a hearsay, I have the copy of a paper document on which the then ruler, Lord Lugard signed through the office of Secretary to the Federal Government directing the payment of cattle tax ‘Jangali’ by the Fulani herdsmen on their cattle. Then there wasn’t any source of revenue but the cattle tax ‘Jangali”, the former governor said on Saturday.
Yuguda recalled how the indirect rulers (Lugard) had searched fruitlessly for revenue sources for the then-Nigerian government before settling on the Fulani herdsmen to pay tax for their cattle (hence the cattle tax, or "Jangali"). This was in his speech at the Baatol Fulaku Sociocultural Development Association's launch at the Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi.
The Fulani herders, who have had their rights as citizens violated by the ruling class and as a result been labelled as bandits or armed robbers, are today the country's most marginalised inhabitants, the former governor lamented.
Despite the Fulani people's constant state of defence, he expressed his disappointment at the lack of action done to provide social amenities like schools and hospitals, or infrastructure facilities like grazing grounds or livestock routes.
He asserts that governments at all levels aren't trying to assist them in becoming as prosperous as other citizens.
Yuguda stated that a meeting of the 27 Fulani groups that are currently active in the nation will take place shortly to map out a political course. The only means of installing or electing a government that might address the needs and ambitions of their communities in the nation, he pleaded with every eligible Fulani voter to safeguard their permanent voters' cards (PVC).
Hon. Muhammad Dahiru Lamido, national chairman of the Baatol Fulaku Sociocultural Development Association, had earlier expressed his joy at the founding of Baajol Fulaku, a registered socio-cultural organisation working to foster and promote unity, advance progressive ideas, inform nomads about contemporary farming techniques, and promote Fulbe culture and heritage.
He was happy that Baajol Fulaku had grown to include members from every state and area in the federation, and that it had reached a national level. The organization's goal is to bring the Fulani people together behind an initiative to put an end to the violence between farmers and nomads by cooperating with the authorities, security personnel, and traditional leaders.
Alhaji Muhammad Lamido expressed concern over the speed with which nomads are victimised, wronged, and ridiculed, often without sufficient investigation, and expressed hope that high harmony, cooperation, understanding, and mutual coexistence could be the solution to achieving long-lasting peace in the nation.